US News

• The US lacks oversight for tens of millions in military assistance it has given to Central American countries. AJ

Russia

• Ukraine’s parliament on Thursday overwhelmingly passed a draft “victory” budget for 2023 that includes a record $38 billion deficit that Kyiv is expecting its Western backers to cover. AWC
• Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Chris Coons (D-DE) visited Kyiv on Thursday and pledged that there will still be bipartisan support for providing massive amounts of aid after the upcoming midterm elections. AWC
• The Biden administration approved the 25th round of security assistance for Ukraine on Friday. The latest package of weapons will include upgraded tanks and drones. Kiev recently requested more armored vehicles to push its offensive against Russian forces. AWC
• The Pentagon announced that it is setting up a new command, based in Germany, to oversee the training and equipping of Ukraine’s military during its fight with Russia, the New York Times reported on Friday. The command is named Security Assistance Group-Ukraine, or SAG-U. AWC

China

• Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on other claimants to the South China Sea to “jointly resist” US pressure in the region, The South China Morning Post reported on Thursday. AWC

Korea

• The US and South Korea are extending massive aerial war games after North Korea put on a massive show of force in response to the drills. AWC
• The White House has authorized employing strategic assets in South Korea more frequently. AWC

Middle East

• The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has found no traces of undeclared nuclear activity at sites in Ukraine where Russia alleged work was being done to create a dirty bomb, a conventional explosive mixed with nuclear material. AWC
• The US sanctions dozens of companies and people it claims smuggle oil for the Iranian Quds force. VOA